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Ding S, Medjahed H, Prévost J, Coutu M, Xiang SH, Finzi A,

Ding S, Medjahed H, Prévost J, Coutu M, Xiang SH, Finzi A,

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Journal of virology 2016 8 17() pii

Abstract
Binding of HIV-1 and SIV gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein to CD4 triggers conformational changes in gp120 that promote its interaction with one of the chemokine receptors, usually CCR5, ultimately leading to gp41-mediated virus-cell membrane fusion and entry. We previously described that topological Layers (Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3) in the gp120 inner domain contribute to gp120-trimer association in the unliganded state but also help secure CD4 binding. Relative to Layer 1 of HIV-1 gp120, the SIVmac239 gp120 Layer 1 plays a more prominent role in maintaining gp120-trimer association but is minimally involved in promoting CD4 binding, which could be explained by the existence of a well-conserved Tryptophan 375 (Trp 375) in HIV-2/SIVsmm. Here we investigated the role of SIV Layer 3 on viral entry, cell-to-cell fusion and CD4 binding. We observed that a network of interactions involving some residues of the β8-α5 region in SIVmac239 Layer 3 may contribute to CD4 binding by helping shape the nearby Phe 43 cavity which directly contacts CD4. In summary, our results suggest that SIV Layer 3 has a greater impact on CD4 binding than in HIV-1. This work defines lineage-specific differences in Layer 3 from HIV-1 and SIV.

IMPORTANCE
CD4-induced conformational changes in the gp120 inner domain involve rearrangements between three topological layers. While the role of Layers 1-3 for HIV-1 and 1-2 for SIV on gp120 transition to the CD4-bound conformation has been reported, the role of SIV Layer 3 remains unknown. Here we report that SIV Layer 3 has a greater impact on CD4 binding than in HIV-1 gp120. This work defines lineage specific differences in Layer 3 from HIV-1 and SIV.